Junior Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer

Department: Operations & Manufacturing

Location: Kemble, Cotswold, UK

Employment Type: FullTime

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The Valo, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing), 'zero emissions' aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won't realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to 'redefine' aerospace best practices. We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals. Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

The Opportunity

As a Graduate Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll join our Manufacturing Engineering team at our Kemble Flight Test Centre.

This is not a “shadow and observe” graduate role.

You’ll be embedded in live build activity, helping design and optimise the pre-production aircraft line before full-rate manufacturing begins.

You’ll see, first-hand, how factory design decisions impact:

• Safety

• Quality

• Build efficiency

• Cycle time

You’ll contribute to the industrialisation of one of the most advanced aircraft programmes in development today.

What You’ll Be Working On

From day one, you’ll support the design and optimisation of our aircraft production system by:

• Assisting in production line layout design and optimisation

• Creating and updating factory layouts using CAD tools

• Supporting tooling definition, installation and validation

• Developing material flow and logistics solutions

• Analysing build processes to identify bottlenecks

• Supporting cycle time and efficiency improvements

• Coordinating readiness activities for key aircraft build milestones

• Contributing to facilities and small capital improvement projects

This is hands-on manufacturing engineering in a live aerospace environment — not theory, not simulation, not coursework.

What You’ll Gain

Within your first year, you’ll build experience in:

• Aircraft industrialisation and production system design

• Facilities planning and tooling integration

• Lean and structured problem-solving in aerospace

• Cross-functional collaboration with operations, supply chain and quality

• Real-world build challenges in a regulated industry

You’ll gain exposure many engineers don’t see until much later in their careers.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for graduates who want responsibility early and are motivated by tangible impact.

You should have:

• This role is primarily aimed at students graduating in Summer 2026, however, we will also consider 2025 graduatesA degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain or related discipline

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving ability

• Interest in production system design and industrialisation

• Confidence working on-site in a fast-paced build environment

• A collaborative mindset and clear communication skills

• Curiosity, resilience and drive

Experience with CAD tools (CATIA beneficial) is helpful but not essential.

We care more about mindset and potential than polish.

Why Join Vertical?

At Vertical Aerospace, you’ll:

• Work on one of the most critical technologies enabling zero-emissions flight

• Gain exposure across the full product lifecycle — concept through industrialisation

• Receive structured development and mentorship

• Experience certification-driven manufacturing in aerospace

• Be part of a scaling engineering team shaping the future of aviation

If you want to help build the systems that power electric flight — this is your opportunity.

Our 4 Step Application Process

1. Apply with your CV inclusive of a short cover letter at the top of your CV answering the below in no more than 200 words per question:

• Why Vertical interests you?

• A project you’re proud of (please make this as relevant as possible to the role you are applying to. Specify your role, learnings, outcome.

• How you’ve applied engineering principles outside academia

• How you stay organised in time-critical projects

1. If successful, you will be invited to attend a 30-minute video screening interview with one of our talent partners where you will be asked a mixture of technical and behaviours

1. If successful, you will be asked to complete a short take-home technical exercise. All instructions will be shared at this stage

1. If you are successful following step 3, you will be invited to the final stage - an onsite group assessment exercise and technical interview in our central Bristol office.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the process.

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn't your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal. 

Our benefits

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership

• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits

• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)

• Company performance based bonus - rewarding company and individual performance

• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee

• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it

• Breakfast on us, every day

We may just be the hardest job you've ever had, but we're confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.